I'm looking to get my headlight rings, door handles and gas cap (S) painted jet black to match my car. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good body shop that'll stand behind its work?

MINI of Sterling's body shop - Ashburn Body - hasn't done the work before and seems reluctant. However, several others on the NAM forums have done it and it looks sharp!

Thanks in advance,

John

 

wagonwerks is the best in the area - however, I doubt they'll take on any new work.

In Annapolis - Criswell Audi has a really good paint guy. They have painted stuff in the past for a friend of mine that owned an Audi S4 avant.

 

When I had to replace my rear bumper I went to a shop in Baltimore called Collision Craft CarStar. It's the shop that MINI of Towson sends all their work to.

 

The dealer should be able to spare a bit of paint for a small job. They should have the correct paint code already on hand. I'm assuming these parts are all easily removable. Being painted off the car would probably be much cleaner.

Would you need to de-chrome the gas-cap first?

Just my thoughts...

 

Have had work done at both Ashburn Collision and Jeff Shaw's CarStar (Towson). Highly recommend both.

 

Not sure about the process needed (is the gas cap cover actually chrome or plastic). Ashburn Body and Collision Center (MINI of Sterling) is just being difficult - "we don't know if we can do it", "we won't give you a quote until we get your car in here for the aerokit" and "we won't guarantee that it won't chip/flake in the first year".

Must be the first time they're doing one of these and I'm hoping someone in this area has done it before with a reputable shop that'll warranty their work. I especially don't like the hostage approach to giving me an estimate - it's not like they have never seen or worked on a MINI before - they are the dealer's shop, for goodness sake. (Did he just say "goodness sake"? )

Is it possible I'm the first to do this mod in our area?

Anyway, take a look at the attached pic (if I did it right) and you'll see the look I'm after, only mine is Jet Black, not DS.

Thanks to everyone for their help

John

 

Do you know where they're located? I can't find any info on them. I wonder if they'd like the idea of working on a MINI (especially something quick like the trim) and having their name/rep attached to it. Sounds like they don't need the help, but I'm hoping the cool factor might make a difference.

john

 

You can look up Wagonwork on the Web: http://www.wagonwork.com/published/staff/

Great place, but work takes forever. I took a "mildly" crunched Porsche 911 C-4 there and it took four months to get it back. Fortunately, it was the other driver's insurance company that paid the 18 grand tab. Cop had estimated damage at $3,000. Go figure.
If you have the time, Wagonworks is the absolute best place to go.

 

Excellent - thanks for the info - I couldn't find them via Google, no matter how I spelled (or mis-spelled) their name :smile:

Looks like their second location handles the MINI. I'll see if they'll do my wheel arches and side skirts for me. I've backed away from the idea of blacking out all the chrome when I saw some other pictures of similar MINI's here on NAM. To each their own

 

the gas cap is the only real chrome on metal on mini cars...

 

I've had great experiences with Precision Auto Body in Manassas Park. The owner was trained at WagonWorks and between me and my friends they have done about 5 flawless jobs.

 

......trained at WagonWerks huh!!!

so what jobs have they done? (on ur boy's cars)
& would they be interested in showing!? for reference.